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You might not like it if I told you that lipids or fats are essential components of our body. But it is true, whether you like it or not. In fact, every one of our billions of cells contains fats in some form or another.
If you are fond of cooking or you spend a heck of a lot of time in the kitchen, you probably know that the oils we use for cooking are hard to dissolve and typically change from liquid into a solid state under certain conditions such as a drop in temperature. If you want to prove it, then just place butter in the fridge and see what happens.
Now, this tendency of fats to transform according to changes in temperature may cause a problem for us if every single one of our cells contains fats. But luckily for us, the fats within and outside of our cells are kept under pretty much stable conditions. The compound that is responsible for this is called lecithin.
Lecithin is an emulsifier naturally occurring in various foods, including soybeans, sunflower, egg yolks, grape seed, wheat germ, flour, etc. Technically, it is a phospholipid that is present in every living cell in both the plant and animal kingdoms.
Now, as a phospholipid, the compound is closely related with triglycerides, and in fact, one of its chemical components is triglycerides, however, triglycerides have three fatty acids, lecithin only has two, plus a phosphate and choline group. As a result, the other term for lecithin is phosphatidylcholine.
One of the various functions of lecithin is to maintain cholesterol in line. Its ability to emulsify oils and hold them in solution plays a primary role in preventing gall stone formation. Together with bile and bile salts, lecithin comprises the three major constituents of bile. Bile is mostly made up of fats, which lecithin keeps in liquid form in order to stop gall stones from forming. Cholesterol, on the other hand, holds a delicate balance with the bile salts. If the balance is tipped on either side, the result could be a stone formation. Therefore, by keeping cholesterol in check, lecithin helps prevent stone formation.
As a component of the enzyme lecithin cholesterol acyltranferase, the compound is said to aid in the metabolism of cholesterol to its by products. As mentioned earlier, this substance is also termed phosphatidylcholine and is an excellent source of choline. Much of the medical benefits of lecithin, specifically on high cholesterol-related conditions have been attributed to the presence of choline.
In one research, laboratory rats were given a choline free diet. By the end of the research, all of the test subjects developed liver diseases, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Other studies, conducted on both humans and animals, also showed how choline supplementation help decrease cholesterol levels in the blood. Though the results of the study showed only slight reduction of cholesterol, it was enough proof for many drug manufacturers to market the substance as a supplement that could help in weight loss.
Today, commercial lecithin as a supplement for persons with high cholesterol level is available in granule or pellet or form. It can also be taken in as a powder or as a pill.
Tagged with: lecithin benefits • lecithin overview
Filed under: Lecithin